More Than 300 Charter School Supporters to Participate in Advocacy Day Hosted by the California Charter Schools Association

National Charter Schools Week Highlighted

The continued success of the charter movement requires policies that enable new schools to grow, thriving schools to replicate, and existing schools to continue their successful trajectory.

Sacramento, CA (PRWEB) May 07, 2014

Charter school supporters from across the state will convene today to convey the strength and growth of the charter school movement to representatives in the California State Capitol. Hosted by the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA), Advocacy Day is an annual celebration of National Charter Schools Week (May 4-10).

"More than 300 school leaders, supporters, parents, and students will have the opportunity to meet with elected officials, discuss key legislation impacting charter schools, and share the importance of their support on policies that will ensure the future success of charter schools and the students they serve,” said CCSA President and CEO, Jed Wallace.

“The progress of the charter movement requires policies that enable new schools to grow, thriving schools to replicate, and existing schools to continue their successful trajectory,” continued Wallace. “It is important that legislators hear these combined voices from the charter school community as they advocate to ensure charter supportive policies are passed and bills that impede charter school growth are opposed.”

CCSA’s annual Advocacy Day is also a time when members of the charter school community can familiarize and inform their legislators about not only the importance of school choice and flexibility, but also the need to support critical legislation that impacts charter school autonomy, flexibility, funding, and facilities.

The event and program will be held in a grand tent on the west lawn (10th Street and Capitol Avenue) from 9:30 am – 4:30 pm. During the event, participants can network, tour the Capitol, and listen to inspiring speakers including, Senator Bob Huff (R-29) and Assemblymember Marc Levine (D-10) among others.

California charter schools began with the passage of the California Charter Schools Act in 1992 followed by the first school opening in 1993. National Charter Schools Week highlights the growth of the charter community, the amazing academic successes of charter students, and the strong parental demand for more schools. Nationally, more than 2.5 million students attend nearly 6,500 charter schools.

California Charter Schools By the Numbers:

104: Number of new charter schools opening in 2013-14 school year

1,130: Total number of charter schools existing in California

California: State continuing to have highest number of charter schools of any state in the country

10%: Estimated percentage by which charter school student enrollment grew in 2013-14

49,179: Estimated number of new charter students in 2013-14

519,000: Estimated number of students attending charters statewide

Los Angeles: Region with highest growth in charter schools

45: Number of charters opening in Los Angeles region

San Diego: Region with second highest growth in CA

27: Number of charters opening in San Diego region

91,000: Estimated number of students currently on charter school waiting lists in CA

About the California Charter Schools Association:
The California Charter Schools Association is the membership and professional organization serving 1,130 charter public schools and more than 519,000 students in the state of California. The Vision of the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) is to empower parents and educators to unleash a new era of innovation within public education so that highly autonomous and accountable schools of choice provide quality learning opportunities for all California students. The Mission of CCSA is to enable our members to increase the number of students attending quality charter schools in California as quickly as possible by securing policy wins supportive of charter schools and providing the supports necessary to open and expand quality charter schools. For more information, please visit http://www.calcharters.org.